Sew Lisette? Don't Mind If I Do.

3.21.2011



This dress was finished before my temporary sewing hiatus so rest assured that I have not "relapsed."  In fact, there will be no relapsing around here because I took this opportunity to drop my machine off for a little tune-up.  I'm interested to see if I notice any difference on how it runs when I get it back...in two weeks!


I made this dress with Simplicity 2209, one of the new Sew Lisette patterns from the Simplicity line.  I have to say that I was a bit ambivalent towards this dress when I first started making it because I was afraid that it might be a little boring.  The pattern itself has some interesting darts in the bodice and some basic darts in the skirt, but both are pretty much lost in the bold pattern on the fabric.



Looking at it finished, I think it did come out as a fairly simple dress but the pattern on the fabric definitely does not make it boring.


And let's discuss the fabric - it's from Alexander Henry's cotton lawn collection and it is lovely.  Bold colors and beautiful hand.  It was wonderful to work with and I'm hoping that it won't be too see through since the colors are fairly dark.  I think the fabric runs a bit narrower than typical quilting cottons so I was worried about having enough for the dress but I was able to make it with 2.5 yards of fabric with a bit to spare.

As for the pattern itself, I made a couple of alternations.  As usual, I used an invisible zippers on the side rather than a lapped zipper.  I should probably confess at this point that I don't even remember how to install any other type of zipper.


I also sewed a 1/2 inch seam at the shoulders and the bodice to make the waist seam hit where my natural waist is.  Also, I finished the armholes with bias-cut fabric that I cut out of the dress fabric rather than use store-bought bias cut fabric that tends to have a yucky feel to it.  Oh, and I hand sewed the bias cut fabric in the armholes in hopes of getting a cleaner look.  It ain't perfect but it'll do.  Other than that I pretty much followed the pattern, which is well-written and easy to understand.  Yay!


Pattern: Simplicity 2209 - a Sew Lisette pattern
Size: Cut out a size 8 at the top of the bodice and graded to a size 10 at the bottom of the bodice and in the skirt.  The fit is perfect (and by perfect I mean that if I exhale too strenuously I may pop a seam in the lower bodice area).
Fabric: Alexander Henry cotton lawn - from the Fulham Road collection - 2.5 yards
How I Feel About This Dress: Tickled pink.

12 comments:

  1. You are on a roll! Another fab dress. I am so glad you made this because I have been looking forward to see those Lisette patterns done up. And I am loving that fabric. Perfect.

    I went to JoAnn's a couple of weeks ago to get some Lisette patterns and they were all gone! Sad.

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  2. beautiful. and are you the model? stunning!

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  3. So impressed by your mad sewing skillz! ;)

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  4. Anonymous22.3.11

    This turned out so cute. I followed your link from the flickr pool and I'm glad you posted more info about making this with the lawn. I actually bought some lawn with this in mind, then chickened out thinking it would be too thin. I think you are right about the dark colors of the fabric helping with this. Mine is pretty light, so I'll sew up a market shirt instead! But seeing this on you makes me want to get sewing. super cute!

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  5. So cute, love the fabric, and the shoes!

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  6. I was so inspired by your dress that I purchased the pattern (not cheap!) yesterday. Thanks for your lovely posts! :-)
    Marjan/ Carnation

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  7. Beautiful sewing! I love this dress - and I am glad to read "fairly simple"... I have not finished a dress yet that I have made and liked. I have this pattern and have had my fingers crossed that this is the one. :)

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  8. This dress turned out just great. I love the fabric choice. I agree with you about the invisible zipper, Once I did an invisible zipper correctly I never looked back at any other zipper for clothing. Invisible are just too perfect not to do.

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  9. Lovely - looks perfect on you....

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  10. wow, that turned out super super beautiful! great fabric choice too. :)

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  11. Had to come back and look because I think I'm going to sew this one to wear to an upcoming wedding. Although I will definitely be using store-bought bias tape and there will be as little hand-sewing as possible--hope it goes quickly!

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  12. wow, this is gorgeous! and it looks great on you. i'd definitely say the fit is perfect!

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